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Modge Podge paper mache
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5 from 13 votes

Mod Podge Paper Mache

Learn how to use Mod Podge and newspaper to make paper mache! I'll show you how to make a simple bowl and then paint it.
Prep Time10 minutes
Active Time1 hour
Dry Time1 day
Total Time1 day 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 1 project
Cost: $0

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

  • Cover a clean, dry bowl in plastic wrap to protect it. Tape to the insides if necessary with a removable tape (like painter's tape).
    Hand holding a bowl covered in plastic wrap
  • Tear or cut several pages of newspaper into squares.
    Pile of torn newspaper
  • Place a layer of Mod Podge on the outside of the plastic wrap.
    Painting Mod Podge on top of a bowl covered with plastic wrap
  • Lay down pieces of newspaper down on the surface of the bowl and smooth with a paintbrush covered in Mod Podge. Press the paper down and brush right over the top.
    Applying newspaper to a bowl with Mod Podge
  • Continue overlapping newspaper pieces and applying with Mod Podge until the entire bowl is covered. Apply a second layer of newspaper for more rigidity. Wrinkles will form, but don't worry about those. It's part of the character.
    Layering newspaper on top of a paper mache bowl
  • Apply a layer of Mod Podge and let the entire bowl dry on your work surface, even overnight if you're in a humid area.
    Mod Podge paper mache bowl drying
  • Once dry, remove the layer of plastic wrap from the bowl mold, releasing the bowl. You might have to twist a little bit. Remove the plastic wrap from the paper mache.
    Removing the tape and newspaper from the bowl
  • Use the bowl mold as a template to trim the edges of your newspaper bowl with scissors.
    Green bowl back in the paper mache with scissors trimming the edges
  • Paint the inside and outside of the bowl with acrylic paint if desired.
    Painting the inside of a Mod Podge paper mache bowl with acrylic paint
  • Paint a layer of Mod Podge on both the inside and outside of the bowl; let dry and apply a second coat. Let dry completely before using.
    Finishing painting a paper mache bowl with paint

Video

Notes

Costs vary for this project. I already had everything on hand.
Some of my plastic wrap stayed on the inside and I couldn't remove it (I used cheap plastic wrap). It just adds to the rigidity so no reason to remove it if it sticks.